Highlights of Summer 2015 So Far!

June brought a nearly three week road trip for Papa and I. What a great time we had! Our first major stop was in Kansas/Nebraska for a school reunion where Papa Norm had attended classes from 1st to 6th grades. Here is Papa with some his classmates. What warm, welcoming folks! Norm hadn't seen most of them since he left in the sixth grade.

 

After the school reunion we headed East and stopped on the University of Kansas so that Papa could visit the campus of his favorite, from childhood, basketball team, the Kansas Jayhawks. Here he is in the bookstore after buying multiple shirts and hats!

Our next major stop was in Iowa to spend time with my sister and her husband Bob, my Aunt Pat, and several of my cousins.

Aunt Norma Jean and me in Pella, Iowa, a beautiful, unique, Dutch inspired little town.

Here is my dear Aunt Pat with two of her three children, my cousins, Rex and Sue.

 

Some of my cousins and Aunt Pat on our day out for lunch and then a stop at a local brewery to sample, once again, the IPA named after our Great-Grandfather, Thomas Beck. Personally I think it tastes terrible, but I am in the minority. :)

After leaving Iowa we headed southwest for Dodge City, Kansas. Papa had always wanted to visit this town where so many of the wild west stories took place. We had a great day there, took a tour and then Papa played cards with Doc Holliday. (Well, we pretended he did.....)

 

 

We visited Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Grand Canyon on our way home. Oh, the art galleries in Santa Fe, we must go back for a longer stay.....

 



We got home in time to have a great Father's Day at home. Lots of swimming and BBQ took place.

We have had a couple of swim days and the 4th of July at home too. Love having the three C's here on these special days!

 

 

 

On one of those swim days, Mike built a box for Amy-Bob the baby squirrel that reportedly followed Chloe into the house a month or two ago when it was a tiny baby. It now has a wonderful home in their backyard which it seems to love. Who wouldn't love a home where fresh foods are delivered right outside the door?

 

 

 

The 4th of July brought some festive shirts on Chloe and Claire!

 

Papa was particularly festive that day too with his headgear in place. :)

Here's to more fun summer activities coming up!